IT WAS that familiar pattern of a typical Everton FC game this season.

Fall behind to a soft early goal, fleetingly look unconvincing, but fight back to secure a victory with a mixture of resilience and belief.

Then when it’s all over, the manager reflects on what might have been if his team had picked up more points.

Except this time it wasn’t David Moyes’s side that stuck to the script. Instead it was lowly Reading, without a win all season, who gave themselves a mountain to climb before grabbing a thrilling triumph.

“I’m so pleased for the players. It’s been coming. We could have had more points but that is not relevant now,” said Brian McDermott, as Moyes seethed elsewhere in the bowels of Reading’s Madjeski stadium, battling to bite his lip enough to ward off an FA fine for savaging blundering referee Martin Atkinson, or letting rip at his players for a truly lacklustre second-half display.

Beforehand, the travelling Toffees joined in as the KC & The Sunshine band hit Give It Up was played in the ground, gleefully adapting the words in an ode to Nikica Jelavic. Little did they know during a one-sided opening half that dark clouds loomed, and the only thing Everton would be proffering was their eight-game unbeaten run.

It’s tough to ascertain what was worse; how Everton squandered countless opportunities to destroy a hapless Reading in that first 45 minutes, the sudden realisation that any more injuries could seriously undermine their hopes this season or how another display of myopic officiating from referee Atkinson proved so damaging.

The Blues should have had a cast-iron penalty when Sean Morrison blocked Jelavic’s goal-bound shot with his arm, and might have had another when Steven Naismith was upended by Kaspars Gorkks. Atkinson, who dismissed Jack Rodwell last season for having the temerity to tackle Luis Suarez, was having none of it.

But as Reading continued to defend laughably, it seemed only a matter of time before Everton took the lead. A succession of comic errors in the host’s defence allowed Naismith to ghost into position, as Marouane Fellaini distracted Reading’s defence, and the ex-Rangers forward stabbed home his close range effort. It looked set to be the first goal of a rout. If only.

Finally an international footballer, Leon Osman was visibly full of confidence and class before tiring in the second-half, but he will know he should have finished when through on goal. He was not the only one to be profligate in the first-half – skipper for the day Phil Jagielka should have scored earlier when he found himself in space at the far post but connected poorly with Leighton Baines’s cross to volley over the bar.

And Steven Pienaar, who was again some way below his sublime best, should have increased their lead after good work from Jelavic saw the Croatian pinch the ball from a ponderous Morrison and set his teammate free, only for the play-maker to fizz a left-footed effort wide.

Despite their weak start, Reading might have struck back when Tim Howard was beaten to a long punt forward by Adam Le Fondre, but the striker fired over. If only he was so wasteful all day.

The one-way traffic continued after that scare. Jay Tabb cleared off the line from Jagielka on the stroke of half-time, but surely Reading would produce a reaction after the break? They did.

McDermott’s men came out seeking to atone with vigour and went straight on the attack. Soon they were level when Le Fondre got across Seamus Coleman and netted with a glancing header from Nicky Shorey’s free-kick. Moyes was quick to point out before the contest that Coleman is still learning the full-back art, and his fortunes continue to ebb and flow.

A costly error at Fulham, impressive against Sunderland and excellent for Ireland against Greece, he made an outstanding recovery tackle as Reading poured forward. But he will be furious at himself for the clumsy barge on Le Fondre, which allowed the forward to score from the spot and complete Reading’s revival.

From seeming comfortably in store for a win, Everton suddenly faced a scrap for a point. They nearly hit back instantly as Fellaini’s header from 10 yards struck a post, but fortune had abandoned them.

Difficult spells in games such as these require calm heads and leaderships, which is one reason why Phil Neville will be missed during his possible eight-week absence following knee surgery. He will watch next Saturday’s must-win game with Norwich from the stands, as will Fellaini who was booked and must serve a one-game suspension, although it is perhaps better that the Belgian sits out the clash with the Canaries and is able to face Arsenal and December’s testing fixture list with a clean slate.

There is no need for panic, Everton’s potential this term is still vast, but they need to build some sort of points buffer with Manchester City, Chelsea and Spurs on the horizon. That’s not to suggest Everton can afford to cherry pick games – they can’t. Another winnable game went begging, West Brom and West Ham are showing no signs of relenting behind them. If only.

Everton have already slipped back down to fifth below the Baggies and injuries are proving to be a concern – there have already been too many ‘if onlys’.